Telescoping clothes prop



April 18, 1950 T. s. CARTER TELESCOPING CLOTHES PROP Filed July 30, 1947 JNVENTOR. THOMAS a. CAETEP .IIIIIIHI Patented Apr. 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELESCOPING CLOTHES PROP Thomas S. Carter, Euclid, Ohio Application July 30, 1947, Serial No. 764,656

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a new and useful adjustable clothes prop which may be adjusted to most effectively support the clothes line with which the device is to be used.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a light-weight metal clothes prop which includes a pair of telescoping tubular support members preferably composed of a light-weight strong aluminum alloy in combination with a simple and effective clamping device for locking the tubular members in any desired adjustable position.

A further object is the provision of a clamping device which is readily manipulated, which is compact, and which is quick acting.

A further object is the provision of indicating means in one of the tubular members which will warn the user when the maximum usable extension is attained.

Still another object is the provision of an adjustable clothes prop wherein the locking means is at a convenient height from the ground and wherein the collapsed device is of a length that is convenient for storage in a kitchen cabinet such as a broom closet or the like.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art as the following description of a preferred embodiment of my invention proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the clothes prop with parts broken away to reduce the length of the view.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section through the clamping device;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the collar of the clamping device;

Fig. 4 shows how the foot member is applied; and

Fig. 5 is a detail of the clothes line eye and its assembly with the tube.

The standard for my clothes prop comprises a pair of light-weight aluminum or rust free tubes. The larger diameter tube is preferably the shorter one, and receives the longer small diameter tube l l therein with a free lit. The length of the tube l0 represents a convenient height above the ground for manipulation of the clamping mechanism. The length of tube H is preferably not appreciably less than the height of the ordinary kitchen broom closet so that a convenient storage place is afforded and still maximum extension is provided. In order that I may use my clothes prop on smooth surfaces, I provide a rubber tip l2 which is pressed over the tube I0 and I have found that the conventional crutch tip affords very effective non-skid foot on any surface.

I provide a novel clamping device which has many advantages when used in connection with an adjustable clothes prop. The clamping device includes a gripping collar indicated generally at 20 and a clamping nut indicated generally at 30. Collar 20 may be formed with a counterbore 2| into which is pressed the aluminum tube ID, or I may fasten the aluminum tube in place by use of aluminum solder or any other welding or attaching method known to those skilled in the art. A threaded extension 22 projects past the portion of the collar that surrounds the tube l0, and is formed to slidingly receive the smaller diameter tube II. Extension 22 is slit as at 24 to provide resilient fingers or pads for gripping tube H. The outer surface of the terminal portion of the extensions is tapered as at 23 to provide a wedge surface for cooperation with the clamp nut 30. The clamp nut 30 has threads for engaging threaded extension 22 and an internal conical surface 32 complementary to the external tapered surface 23 on the pads. The collar is knurled as at 25 and the nut as at 35 to provide a hand grip when using the clamp.

The assembly is completed by the clothes line eye indicated generally at 40, which has an open spiral structure 4| in which the line may be firmly fastened by simple manipulation of the post. A shank 42 is formed on the eye and it may be roughened and fastened into an aperture 43 formed in the thimble 44. Thimble 44 is pressed into the tube H and may be provided I with a flange 45 to engage the end of the tube.

It can be seen that I have provided an extremely lightweight clothes prop with no protruding parts and with no parts that can get out of order or broken off in normal use. The operator simply grasps the narrow grasps 25 and 35 and by imparting a slight rotative movement to the nut,tube II is freed and may be extended and clamped in any desired position.

A band of colored paint [3 may be applied to the surface of tube H in such a position that it indicates maximum extension consistent with firm locking and guiding of the tube. The band instantly warns the user, by its appearance outside of the nut, that such maximum extension has been attained.

In conclusion, it is seen that by employing a rugged effective clamping device with no protruding parts, used in conjunction with lightweight tubular materials carrying an effective foot and eye construction, I have invented a new and useful adjustable clothes prop which has advantages and utility not found in or suggested by the prior art.

What is claimed is:

An adjustable clothes line prop comprising a pair of telescoping members, a foot member at one end of one member and a line support at the remote end of the other member, a clamp device for locking said members together in adjusted position comprising a collar having coaxial bores of different diameters, the larger bore receiving the end of the larger of said members and the smaller bore snugly and slidably receiving the smaller of said members, said collar having a cylindrical externally threaded portion merging with an axially slit tapered nose portion to form resilient pads engaging the smaller of said members, and a nut threaded to said cylindrical c01- lar portion and having internal wedge means for engaging said tapered nose portion to clamp said pads against said smaller member and re- 5 leasably lock said members together.

THOMAS S. CARTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

